Claim

Reasons
Evidence

Counterclaim
Counterargument
Conclusion (so what?)

Claim
Statement the writer is
trying to prove is true

Mom, I need
a car.

Reason
Statement supporting
the claim, tells why
Because I have
places to go that
you cannot take me.

Evidence
Proof from a credible
source
ACT prep is at 4
when youre at
work.

Explanation
Explains what the
evidence proves
Since ACT prep is
at 4, Ill need a
car to drive myself.

So What?
Why should they care
I know you want me
to take ACT prep and
improve my score, but
Ill need a car to do
that for you.

Counterclaim
Statement opposing the
claim, opposing argument
I know you
think I could ride
with friends,

Counterargument
Rebuttal to the counterclaim
But, none of my
slacker friends are
taking ACT Prep.

Conclusion
Restates claim,
summarizes argument
I need a car so that I
can take ACT Prep, like
you want me to.

not reasons

The rules of academic argument

exclude the following as support:

Because it is my personal opinion

Because my friends/relatives think so
Because most people think so
Because its always been, its tradition
Because its obvious
Because its morally right

Four types of

evidence:

Facts that support the reasons.

Statistical Evidence, data

Testimonial Evidence, expert
Anecdotal Evidence, example
Analogical Evidence, analogy

Transition Words
between claim(s) and reasons

because
for the (simple) reason that
being that

because (of the fact)

due to (the fact that)

Transition Words
between reasons and evidence

For instance,
For example,
As an example,
As an illustration,
Not only, but also

According to ____
(expert)
According to the
data,
____ proves that

Transition Words

between claim(s) and counterclaim

Conversely

On the contrary

Even though

Others think

However

Others may say

Nevertheless

Some believe

On the other hand

Transition Words

for counterclaims and counterarguments

Critics argue that. although.

While it may be true that still all in all.
Others may say that but I argue
A common argument against this position is but...
It may be true that. however,
It is easy to think that but the facts suggest...
While some people say. they fail to address.
It is often thought that but in reality.

Opinion:

Argument/Arguable claim:

Twinkies are
delicious.

Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because

of their texture, creamy filling, and golden appearance.

I like dance
music.

Dance music is popular for reasons that have nothing to

do with the quality of the music; rather, the clear, fast
beats respond to the need of young people to dance.

Virginia Woolf is Virginia Woolf is a more effective writer than James

Joyce because she does not rely on elaborate language
better than
James Joyce. devices that confuse and alienate the reader.
The governor has continually done the community a
The governor is
disservice by mishandling money, focusing on frivolous
a bad man.
causes, and failing to listen to his constituents.

W.9-10.1
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics
or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

1.A Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or

opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear
relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

1.B Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each
while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that
anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns.

1.C Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text,
create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons,
between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

1.D Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending
to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports
the argument presented.